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Zion National Park is world-renowned for its stunning scenery and claustrophobia-inducing slot canyons. But prior to becoming Utah’s first national park in 1919, it was rarely visited because of its remote location. The roads were awful and few automobiles could make it.
Accessibility slowly began to improve when President Taft made the area a national monument in 1909. Of course, at that point it wasn’t called Zion National Park. It was known as the Mukuntuweap National Monument.
As the years progressed, touring cars were able to venture further into the canyon. In 1917, a tent encampment called Wylie Camp was set up to offer lodging to visitors. This helped set things in motion so that when the area officially became a national park a couple years later, it had the infrastructure to accommodate the influx of visitors.
When modern-day visitors explore Zion, it’s best to wear comfortable boots. The park’s hiking trail system is phenomenal and takes you through slot canyons, across cliff faces and two jaw-dropping overlooks.
There are quick jaunts like Weeping Rock and longer routes like Angels Landing, which averages about four hours round trip. One of the most famous routes is The Narrows, which when done in its entirety is a one-way trip that covers 16 miles and takes about 12 hours. You can start at either Chamberlain’s Ranch or Orderville Canyon, both of which require a back country permit.
Knowing the current weather conditions in the area is important for any visit to Zion, but it’s critical when entering slot canyons like The Narrows. You can check the current conditions by clicking here. And you can learn more about safety precautions in the park by clicking here.
Rock climbers flock to Zion because of the unique terrain. Popular climbing spots include Touchstone, Moonlight Buttress, Spaceshot, and Prodigal Son.
While many visitors stay outside of the park in the nearby town of Springdale, there is also the option of staying in the park at Zion Lodge. It’s located about halfway through the canyon and has motel units as well as cabins. It’s open year-round and also features a restaurant and café.
There are three campgrounds in the park: South, Watchman and Lava Point. South and Watchman are in the far southern part of the park, while Lava Point is located near the middle. Watchman is the only campground that takes reservations.
You can download brochures and planners by clicking here. And you can get additional details, such as fees and permits, by clicking the links below.
Wilderness Information and Permits
And for a fairly comprehensive list of activities in the park, see the list below. You can click on the links for information on everything from birding to river trips.
Nearby Hotels Lodging: (Affiliate Links)
Springdale Utah Hotels - Located at the entrance of the park.
Mount Carmel Hotels - 16 miles from the east entrance of the park.
Hurricane Utah Hotels - 23 miles from the entrance.
Cedar City Utah Hotels - Just 19 miles from the Kolob Canyon Vistor Center and entrance to Kolob Canyon
St. George Utah Hotels - 41 miles from the entrance of Zion National Park
More Information:
Zion National Park
Springdale, Utah 84767
Park Headquarters:(435) 772-3256
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